Faith and Wellbeing Assistant Principal's Report
Ash Wednesday and Lent
On Wednesday 26 February 2020 a number of the senior Youth Ministry students did a wonderful job leading us in our Ash Wednesday Prayer Service as we started our Lenten journey together. It was fantastic to see these students sing, pray, reflect and lead the College as we start to head towards Easter.
One of the invitations of the Church is the acts of Prayer and Almsgiving during this season. A reminder that there is Mass each Thursday in the Chapel at 8.10 am and this could be a great way to respond to the invitation to increase prayer during this season. There is also a Project Compassion Box in every classroom with an invitation to give to people in genuine need through this great cause and live out our call to Almsgiving during this Lenten Time.
Reconciliation
During the season of Lent our students are offered the opportunity to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession, as part of their Religious Education Program, during class time. This is a great way to participate more deeply into the season of Lent and we are most grateful to the Priests (approximately 10 priests over the rest of the term) who give of their time so generously to assist us.
Year 7 Reflection Day
On Thursday 5 March 2020 the Year 7 students had a break from their normal classes and enjoyed a Reflection Day facilitated by the Year 11 Youth Academy class. The focus of the day was Friendships. We are blessed to be able to offer Reflection Days at each year level. Today was a great opportunity for the Year 7s to take a break from the regular activities of a normal school day, reflect a little on their lives, their start at Nazareth, what real friendship is and the friendship offered by Jesus. We hope that the students enjoyed the day and have made some new friends.
Student Free Day - Friday 6 March 2020
Tomorrow, Friday 6 March 2020 ,is a Student Free Day as the staff will come together for the day to learn more about the adolescent brain and how we can further improve in connecting with students, managing students and developing positive relationships with students. A reminder that Monday 9 March 2020 is a Public Holiday, so the students will have a nice four day break and return to school refreshed on Tuesday 10 March 2020.
Student Counselling
In the coming weeks we will be gradually having a change in School Counsellors. Ms Tracey Burnett will be taking up another role within the College so we welcome Ms Casey Cilia to the School Psychologist/Counsellor position. Ms Burnett has been outstanding in supporting our students for over 10 years and we wish her all the best in her new role, confident she will excel in this new position too. Ms Cilia comes to us with a lot of experience and will be a great asset to the College. A further change in the coming weeks will be the moving of the Counsellor’s Office to the Wellbeing Centre.
Parent/Guardian - Teacher Partnership
As always, we are privileged to work in partnership with parents/guardians as the first educators of their child. At Parent Information Sessions, in the yard, at Taster Days, with phone calls from parents etc, I am reminded of the great people we are working with and our need to keep the channels of communication open. If there are any concerns or issues with your child or things that would help us in our work with them, please contact the College (usually the Pastoral Teacher is the first contact) so as we can do whatever we can to do our best in caring for your child.
Mr Justin Duckett
Assistant Principal - Faith and Wellbeing